King Edward Street is the central point of the Southern Commuter Route, and part of Dunedin’s Strategic Cycling Network. The Southern Commuter Route provides safer cycle connections between St Clair, Caversham, South Dunedin, St Kilda, Tainui, Musselburgh, Andersons Bay and the Harbour circuit shared path, and with the South Dunedin retail area and CBD.
The Southern Commuter Route has the highest priority of all the routes in Dunedin’s Strategic Cycle Network. This is based on the large number of people who live in the area, a history of cyclist crashes, and the fact that it is flat, making cycling easier.
The Council has included funding for this in its Long Term Plan, but we are waiting for confirmation of the NZTA contribution to this project, expected in September. Assuming the Southern Commuter Route receives funding for implementation, we will make improvements to the street and intersection and provide end-of-trip facilities so cycling is safer and easier along King Edward Street.
Aim
- To make the retail centre safer for cyclists
- To encourage more cyclists to make the retail centre a destination
Actions
- Installation of cycle stands in the retail centre
- Improve safety for cyclists at key King Edward Street intersections such as Cargill’s Corner, McBride Street and Macandrew Road
Involves
- The Dunedin City Council
- SPOKES
Status
As part of the current streetscape works in the retail centre, speeds will be reduced, making it safer for cyclists on King Edward Street. Cycle stands will be installed as part of this work.
Other ways to improve the street environment and intersection safety for cyclists are being developed:
- We are exploring the use of ‘sharrows’ (shared lane arrows) as a trial. A sharrow indicates that cyclists and motorists need to share the lane.
- We are altering the timing of traffic lights at the Hillside intersection, and introducing advanced stop boxes or lines for cyclists at traffic lights.